Team Feeken Archives - Page 2 of 3

Before You Leave Your Kenai Home….

February 6, 2013 By Glenda Feeken

The last thing you want to do while you’re on a trip is to worry about someone burglarizing your Kenai home. Use this checklist to add some peace of mind to your travel plans.

Ask a trusted friend – to pick up your mail and newspaper and keep the yard free of trash and advertisements.
Stop your mail but maybe not your newspaper – you can easily handle this online by going to the US Postal Service’s Hold Mail Service. A recent story implicated an employee from a major newspaper who was passing customer hold requests to burglars.
Don’t post about your trip on Facebook and Twitter until you return – some burglars actually look for this type of announcement to schedule their activities.
Do your neighborhood watch – especially if you’re going to be gone for more than just a few days. Let your monitoring service know when you’ll be gone and if someone will be checking on your home for you.
Light timers make it look like someone is home – use several set for different times to better simulate someone at home.
Do unplug certain appliances – TVs, computers, toaster ovens that use electricity even when they’re off and to protect them from power surges.
Don’t hide a key – burglars know exactly where to look for your key and it only takes them a moment to check under the mat, above the door, in the flower pot or in a fake rock.

These easy-to-handle suggestions may protect your belongings while you’re gone while adding a level of serenity to your trip.

Really? You still haven’t bought a Kenai home!

January 19, 2013 By Glenda Feeken

Mortgage rates are lower than they’ve been in 50 years and you still haven’t bought a Kenai home. Really?

Housing affordability is over 180, an all-time high when 100 is considered good and you’re still renting. Really? Are you waiting for it to get to 200? Do you think prices and rates are going to get lower? Really?

You know it’s costing you more every month to rent than to own. Tax savings, appreciation and principal reduction lower the monthly cost of housing and yet you’d rather let your landlord benefit…Really? Have you heard that the average homeowner has 41 times greater net worth than a renter? Do you think it’s a coincidence? Really?

And have you heard that most people want a place of their own; a place to raise their family; to share with their friends; to feel safe and secure. So, you’d rather go home after working hard all day to your landlord’s home. You’d prefer to invite some friends over to your landlord’s home for dinner next weekend. Really?

You haven’t checked out whether you can actually take advantage of the best buyer’s market ever. You haven’t invested thirty minutes to find out the facts as they apply to you and your situation. Really? You’re basing a decision on national news, chat rooms and Facebook. Really?

Every market is different. Every buyer is unique. If you want a Soldotna home; if you have a down payment; if you have good credit, you owe it to yourself and your family to explore the possibilities…but with a real estate professional; someone who can really show you the reasons and really give you options.

Sooner Is Better Than Later For Kenai Home Buyers

January 17, 2013 By Glenda Feeken

Buyers who have delayed purchasing a Kenai home due to concerns about what might happen to the tax laws affecting home ownership should feel comfortable about getting back in the market. The recent legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President continues to value homes as a favored investment.

For a summary of specific real estate provisions in the “Fiscal Cliff” bill, click here.

Whether the delayed purchase is for a Kenai home to live in as your principal residence or to use as rental property, taking action sooner is better than later.

Reasons to buy now:

The house payment with taxes and insurance is probably cheaper than the rent.
Rents will continue to rise making the difference even greater in the future.
Lock-in the principal & interest payment with a fixed-rate mortgage.
30 year mortgage terms are available to most borrowers.
The mortgage interest deduction is intact for the majority of taxpayers.
The capital gain exclusion for principal residences up to $500,000 remains in place.
Prices are going up due to lower inventories and several years of low housing starts.

Contact me about any specific questions you have or information you need.

Scary Kenai Real Estate Tales

January 16, 2013 By Glenda Feeken

You are all grown up, you brush your teeth, go to work and even vote on occasion. It is high time that you bough a Kenai home. You visited your lender and have found the perfect house. Before you know it the offer is accepted and the inspection, appraisal and title are complete. All that is left is the close! What could go wrong now???

This is where the scary part comes in. You and the wife are out looking at all that great furniture to fill the empty spaces in your new Kenai home. What will it hurt if you borrow $5,000-$10,000? You can handle the monthly payment no problem. Since your all grown up you need a grown up truck to go with the grown up furniture.

No problem right! BIG PROBLEM! High dollar purchases can change your debt-to-income ratio, this could place you in the position of not qualifying. The Lenders have a clause in their approval letter that states that any material changes to your financial condition, i.e. new debt, will require you to reapply for the loan. Any major purchase like a truck, in-store financing or credit card purchase can cost you your approval. Yep! This truly did happen…. The lenders will pull your credit report again before closing and double check your entire loan package.

Then there was the buyer who said to the closer “look out in the parking lot. How do you like my new RV? It is going to go great with the house!” Needless to say the closing came to a sudden stop until lender could re-qualify the loan package.

Why Is My Kenai Home On Trulia? It Is Not For Sale!

January 15, 2013 By Glenda Feeken

An excited Kenai homeowner called our office on friday demanding to know why her Kenai home was showing on Trulia. Trulia is a popular website used to search properties listed for sale. The Kenai homeowner’s house was not for sale, hadn’t been in over fifteen years.

After discussing the Kenai homeowner’s privacy concerns we concluded that Trulia must have downloaded the borough’s property database. We contacted Trulia and were pleased to learn that they will remove any property from their public search with a request by the property owner. If you would like to request you property to be removed visit http://www.trulia.com/help/ask/ or call 888-466-3501.

Home Safety & Security Tips

January 11, 2013 By Glenda Feeken

A quick once-over of the items on this list may improve the safety and security of your home and could protect your family and friends. It is important to periodically pay attention to these things because things change over time.

Security

Does each exterior door have a deadbolt?
Does the lock on each window work?
Have you added pins or clips to your windows for additional security?
Do you have dowels or broom sticks in the track of windows and sliding glass doors?
Do you have security company labels or signs displayed prominently?
Do you have an alarm system? Is the system monitored?
Do you have a dog that barks when strangers approach the home?
Are emergency numbers posted near the telephones?

Fire

Do you have smoke detectors near all sleeping areas?
Do you check the batteries monthly and change them annually?
Do you have two carbon monoxide detectors?
Do you have an escape ladder for upper floors?
Do you have fire extinguishers near exits and in the kitchen?
Do you have an emergency escape plan and is the family familiar with it?
Are any outlets or switches warm to the touch?
Are kitchen ventilation systems working properly?
Is the dryer ventilated to the outside and is the exhaust free of lint?
Is the furnace cleaned and serviced yearly?
Is the space around the hot water heater clear of combustible materials?

Falls

Are all electrical and phone cords out of the flow of traffic?
Are rugs and runners slip resistant?
Is your step-stool sturdy and in good condition?
Are stairs clear of objects that could cause a fall?
Are all entrance ways, exits, halls and walks well lighted?
Do bath tubs and showers have non-skid strips or suction mats in them?

Other

Do you keep drugs and medicines out of reach and sight of small children?
Are interior doors designed so small children cannot lock themselves in rooms?
Are pool and play areas fenced to keep small children in and uninvited guests out?
Are firearms kept out of reach and sight of children?
Is a well-stocked first aid kit available for emergencies?
Is there one member of your family trained in first aid, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver?